Welcome to the Health Practitioner Regulation Website

The Department of Human Services is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date and responsive regulatory framework for the health professions, and broad policy matters related to the operation of health practitioner registration boards.

This responsibility includes:

• Preparation of proposals for reform of the legislative scheme regulating health practitioners for consideration by the Minister for Health.
• Advice on a broad range of issues regarding the regulation of health professionals.
• Management of the administrative processes through which appointments are made to health practitioner registration boards.

The following health professions are subject to statutory registration in Victoria:

• Chinese medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners and Chinese herbal dispensers)
• Chiropractors
• Dental care providers (dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental prosthetists)
• Medical practitioners
• Nurses
• Optometrists
• Osteopaths
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists
• Psychologists

Each of these professions is regulated by the Health Professions Registration Act 2005.  A copy of the Act may be accessed at the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents Website.  This Act came into operation on 1 July 2007, and repealed the following Acts:

• Chinese Medicine Registration Act 2000
• Chiropractors Registration Act 1996
• Dental Practice Act 1999
• Medical Practice Act 1994
• Nurses Act 1993
• Optometrists Registration Act 1996
• Osteopaths Registration Act 1996
• Pharmacy Practice Act 2004
• Physiotherapists Registration Act 1998
• Podiatrists Registration Act 1997
• Psychologists Registration Act 2000; and
• Section 108AL of the Health Act 1958 (and associated regulations), in respect of medical radiation practitioners.

The Health Professions Registration Act 2005 was the result of a departmental review of the regulation of the health professions, conducted between 2002 and 2005.

Further information on health legislation may be accessed at the department’s health legislation website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/legislation/

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Contact: For more information, please contact practitioner.regulation@dhs.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9096 9960